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3.56 AVERAGE
3.56 AVERAGE
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This sci-fi/horror blend is chilling and thought-provoking story about humanity’s desperation to be something more than merely another “wild” animal.
Wells is successful in unsettling the reader by utilizing a unique combination of innate fears: complete isolation, gruesome violence, and resigned hopelessness to name a few. The horrific mishaps of science imagined in the story make Shelley’s Frankenstein feel like a kid’s novel. Combined with the Lord of the Flies-style shipwreck, this story is undeniably scary.
Ultimately, the protagonist’s discussion of “dwindling shreds of humanity” in favor of “generalized animalism” that he observes in isolation makes the story one I will definitely return to.
Wells is successful in unsettling the reader by utilizing a unique combination of innate fears: complete isolation, gruesome violence, and resigned hopelessness to name a few. The horrific mishaps of science imagined in the story make Shelley’s Frankenstein feel like a kid’s novel. Combined with the Lord of the Flies-style shipwreck, this story is undeniably scary.
Ultimately, the protagonist’s discussion of “dwindling shreds of humanity” in favor of “generalized animalism” that he observes in isolation makes the story one I will definitely return to.
Problematic book like much of it’s cohorts, BUT it made AMAZING daydream fodder.
“But there are times when the little cloud spreads, until it obscures the sky. And those times I look around at my fellow men and I am reminded of some likeness of the beast-people, and I feel as though the animal is surging up in them. And I know they are neither wholly animal nor holy man, but an unstable combination of both.”
[Dude, this book is racist af.]
[Dude, this book is racist af.]
“But there are times when the little cloud spreads, until it obscures the sky. And those times I look around at my fellow men and I am reminded of some likeness of the beast-people, and I feel as though the animal is surging up in them. And I know they are neither wholly animal nor holy man, but an unstable combination of both.”
[Dude, this book is racist af.]
[Dude, this book is racist af.]
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I'm working my way through H.G. Wells as part of a book club in the library where I work. I thought this was a much more complex and interesting work than The Time Machine. Definitely a pioneer of the body horror genre, but it draws in older influences too; I was reminded somewhat of Treasure Island, Frankenstein, and even Greek myths about chimeras such as the Minotaur. Wells excels in his depiction of Doctor Moreau's creatures, who evoke both disgust and pity, and the questions of morality around scientists "playing god" and creating new life forms are still relevant today.
It's also important to note that the book has some racist overtones that reflect common attitudes of the era.
It's also important to note that the book has some racist overtones that reflect common attitudes of the era.
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes